We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 8 July 2016 to ask the practice the following key questions; Are services safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led?

Our findings were:

Are services safe?

We found that this practice was providing safe care in accordance with the relevant regulations

Are services effective?

We found that this practice was providing effective care in accordance with the relevant regulations

Are services caring?

We found that this practice was providing caring services in accordance with the relevant regulations

Are services responsive?

We found that this practice was providing responsive care in accordance with the relevant regulations

Are services well-led?

We found that this practice was providing well-led care in accordance with the relevant regulations

Background

Portner Pittack Dental Practice located in Barnet provides private dental treatment including orthodontics, general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, endodontics, periodontics and the placement of dental implants. The practice also provides conscious sedation and minor oral surgery services. [Conscious sedation – procedure using a combination of medicines to help a patient to relax (a sedative) and to block pain (an anaesthetic) during a medical or dental procedure. The patient remains awake during the whole procedure.]

Practice staffing consists of two principal dentists, specialist endodontist, specialist orthodontist, specialist periodontist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, three dental nurses, two hygienists, two receptionists, book keeper and a practice manager.

One of the principal dentists is the registered manager. A registered manager is a person who is registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the practice is run.

The practice is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays 8.30am to 6pm, Tuesday 8.30am to 8pm, Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm and Saturdays 9am to 1pm

The practice facilities include four treatment rooms, reception and two waiting areas, one office and a staff room/kitchen.

45 patients provided feedback about the service. Patients we spoke with and those who completed comment cards were very positive about the care they received about the service. Patients told us that they were happy with the treatment and advice they had received.

Our key findings were:

• Staff had been trained to handle medical emergencies, and appropriate medicines and life-saving equipment were readily available.
• The appointment system met the needs of patients and waiting times were kept to a minimum.
• Staff had received safeguarding children and adults training and knew the processes to follow to raise any concerns. The practice had whistleblowing policies and procedure and staff were aware of these and their responsibilities to report any concerns.
• There were systems in place to reduce the risk and spread of infection. Dental instruments were cleaned and sterilised in line with current guidance.
• The practice sought feedback from staff and patients about the services they provided and acted on this to improve its services.
• There was appropriate equipment for staff to undertake their duties, and equipment was well maintained.
• The practice ensured staff were trained and that they maintained the necessary skills and competence to support the needs of patients.
• Patients were involved in their care and treatment planning so they could make informed decisions.
• Conscious sedation was delivered safely in accordance with current guidelines.
• Patients were treated with dignity and respect and confidentiality was maintained.
• The practice had a procedure for handling and responding to complaints, which were displayed and available to patients.
• Governance systems were effective and there were a range of policies and procedures in place which underpinned the management of the practice. Clinical and non-clinical audits were carried out to monitor the quality of services.

We spoke with four patients during our inspection. Two were relatively new patients and two were long standing patients. All the patients reported positive experiences. For example, one patient said that the dentist was, “very good” and another patient said, ”the service is good, from the front line staff to being in the chair.”

We saw that new patients had been introduced smoothly to the dental practice and we found that there were clear patient records which included signed authorisations for treatment and medical histories of patients. Patients told us that dental treatment was meeting their needs and had been provided with regard to them as individuals. One patient said, “I feel respected and looked after.” Another patient said, “they’ve been kind and considerate and put me at ease.”

The dental surgery was clean and hygienic and there were efficient arrangements to safely clean and sterilise dental instruments and to minimise risks to patients. Patients told us that the dental practice was always clean. One patient said, “they are passionate about cleaning.”

Records showed that there had been regular testing and servicing of the dental equipment used and there were a range of audits which demonstrated that the quality of the service and risks associated with it were being regularly checked. Patients had been asked to provide feedback through a survey.

Staff told us they felt supported and had access to training. We saw records which confirmed that staff were provided with relevant training and that they were provided with other support such as regular team meetings and the provision of information. There was a welcoming atmosphere. Staff told us that there was good communication and that they worked well with each other. Patients also commented on this. For example, one patient said, “they’ve been flexible and reliable.”